The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1887-05-17
HORSEBACK-RIpING.
An Exercise That Is Growing In Popu-
iarity In This Country.

Upward of two centuries ago the
most noted horseman in Great Britain
was the Duke of Newcastle, and the
pleasant things that he wrote about
the exercise and the EXPERIENCES Of
horsemanship were long remembered.
and have passed into history. The
Duke laid stress upon the genteelness
of horseback-riding. wrote thar &c,
good seat is of such great importai ca
that the'regular movement of the horse
entirely depends upon it, which b
preferable to any other assistance;
therefore, let it not be despised.' More
,ver, / venture to affirm that he who
Goes not sit genteelly upon horse will
sever be a good horseman. This
seems just as true to-day as it was
when the Duke of Newcastle wrote the
lines, and to sit genteelly and grace
tally is the essential in good horseback
riding. 1t is a good thing to ride well.
but it is every thing to sit well. Som;
authorities on horseback-riding have
averred that perfect rider has to be
adapted by nature, by q peculiar con-
formation of limb. The supple limbs
of youth, however, easily adapt
themselves to the peculiarities of
horseback-riding. It is this supple
ness of limb and the art of balancing
ones self, which is readily gained in
youth that constitutes the basis of 8
good seat. But it is not the fortune of
every person who aspires to become
good horseback-rider to have the ad-
vantages in youth that he might wish,
and his desire TO become finished rider
is abandoned But the way to over
come all the omissions is to continually
practice, and the instruction and advice
Of the riding-master will be certain to
overcome the difference of beginning
in earlier life. Thus, to SIT q horse
equally well throughout his PAGES. to
govern firmly yet gently his impatient
movements, managing him at speed with
firm but light hand, steadily yet grace
fully to keep the seat and to have the
animal entirely at command. to unite
courage to gentleness, vieing in temper
with his horse in spirit-these are the
essential qualities of a good horseman.
Training in the riding-school will make
good riders out of doors, and it is an
excellent plan to have the exercise
grow in favor hereabouts, and this is ex-
ercise of a sort that win be sure to
bring health to the over-taxed business
men and glow to the cheeks of women
and fullness to their forms. The real
enjoyment of horseback-riding is de-
pendent upon the horse that is ridden.
What constitutes good saddle-horse
has been pretty well settled by expe-
rience, and the many qualities have
been set forth time and again.
A gentleman who has ridden horse
for years past, and who in that time
has owned about every sort of saddle
animal. and has enjoyed the sport In
foreign climes, says that riding school
is greater and more important insti-
tuition to a city than many others
which receive fully more patronage.
He is convinced that Americans take
naturally to the saddle. and in general
iy good riding are very apt to prove
excellent pupils. 1t is thought to be
especially the case with ladies in this
country. The American women have
better seat and they ride more grace
fully than the English, and one may
see larger number of graceful and &C
complished riders about our large
American cities than can be seen in Eu-
rope. The gentleman said that pupils
to be made the best and most expert
riders should rise in the trot. 1t is
easier, and looks better, and saves the
continued pounding of the rider on the
horse. The Hungarians are considered
the best riders in Europe, although the
French are excellent In the saddle. II
is thought that the present popularity
is not passing fashion. but that horse
back-riding has come to stay.
and that it will grow and de-
velop with the cities that have estab-
hshed and meteorological riding
schools. The gentleman, reverting to
the question of good saddle-horses,
thought that "there was good deal of
errsr in choosing Kentucky horse as
the best animal for the use of either
lady or gentleman. As rule the Ken
lucky horses are too well bred and like
the Kentuckian's idea Of them, they
are suitable for nothing else. They
are very pretty as rule, however.
But the Virginia horses are the ideal
animals in my mind for good riders.
The Kentucky breed needs some new
blood to improve it. and, to demon
strate this, experience has shown that
q race of horses or a race of men re-
quire new blood to prevent its degen-
Grafton. The Kentuckian's idea of the
gait of q horse is o mistaken one. A
horses natural gait is the trot. In no
other country than this would pacing
horoe he andrro1 0ood horseback